Best Places to See a Kiwi in its Natural Habitat

This 'kiwi crossing' sign is found near New Zealand's kiwi-inhabited forests and native grasslands.(Photo: A Kiwi Crossing sign near Boundary Stream Reserve, New Zealand. image by Undy from Fotolia.com )

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The fact that most New Zealanders, often nicknamed "Kiwis," have never seen the elusive kiwi bird in its natural environs in no way lessens the country's devotion to its perky, endangered national bird. Massive conservation and repopulation efforts are ensuring that the remaining flightless, indigenous birds are safe. Several sanctuaries are located on New Zealand's outlying, predator-free islands and are not open to the public. However, there are places where tourists have a good chance of seeing the kiwi in its natural habitat.

Rotorua's Kiwi Wildlife Park at Rainbow Springs

The Kiwi Encounter at Kiwi Wildlife Park at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua in the heart of Maori country, is a hot ticket. Park officials describe their operation as the world's "only purpose-built conservation center open to the public." Visitors to the park can experience conservation in action as they see kiwi chicks hatched and nurtured before being returned to the wild. Officials say that the number of kiwi chicks that survive to adulthood are increased from 5 to 70 percent when they are hatched in captivity. Participants on the nocturnal tour may see a kiwi poking with its long bill in the leaves for food. Make reservations for the very popular tours.

Zealandia, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary

Zealandia, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary is a 10-minute drive from the center of the country's capital city of Wellington, making it one of the most accessible sanctuaries. The 8-kilometer sanctuary is a fully-enclosed area that protects the kiwi birds from introduced predators, including dogs, cats and stoats. The wildlife sanctuary, located at the end of Waiapu Road in Karori, is one of the mainland's most important reserves and offers popular nocturnal tours that give visitors a chance to see the kiwi bird as well as other rare and endangered birds.

Kapiti Island Nature Reserve

Kapiti Island is located 5 kilometers off the west coast of New Zealand's North Island. Its nature reserve is an important recovery site for the little spotted kiwi, one of the five types of kiwi birds in New Zealand. Only 50 people are allowed to visit the island at a time, and visitors must get a permit from the Department of Conservation and reserve their own water transport. Private boats are not allowed to land at the reserve.

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About the Author

Debbie Selinsky is an award-winning writer based in North Carolina. Selinsky is the former senior editor of "Success Magazine" and deputy director of the Duke University News Service. She has written about travel for many years and specializes in cruise travel, having sailed on more than 100 cruises. Selinsky attended North Greenville University, Oregon Institute of Technology and the Poynter Institute for Journalistic Excellence.

Photo Credits

A Kiwi Crossing sign near Boundary Stream Reserve, New Zealand. image by Undy from Fotolia.com

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